011. We have the ability to discern between good and evil and the agency to choose between the two.
012. God will not force any person to do good, nor can a person be forced by Satan to do evil.
013. Before the earth was created, the spirits of all people were free to act for themselves.
015. Good comes from God and evil comes from the devil.
016. We can discern between good and evil when we have the Spirit of God.
018. Power to overcome Satan and his evil influence comes from God.
019. In their exercise of agency, those who choose good will be rewarded.
011. We have the ability to discern between good and evil and the agency to choose between the two.
quoted by Mormon
Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good— (Alma responds to the chief ruler, Antionah, regarding Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, about 82 B.C.) Alma 12:31
quoted by his son Nephi
And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. (Lehi teaches his sons, between 588-570 B.C.) 2 Nephi 2:26
quoted by Mormon
And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. (Preaching to the Nephites, about 6 B.C.) Helaman 14:30-31
For man in spirit form, in his spirit nature, is an independent entity. It is an organized being, a son of God or a daughter of God, as the case may be, and in the spirit birth he obtained not only an eternal organization, but power and intelligence by which he can determine and understand light from darkness, truth from error, and choose between that which is right and that which is wrong. In the Pearl of Great Price we read that God gave him that power. . . .
Here [Moses 4:2-3we read that that power of choice, the gift, the ability to understand right from wrong, to understand light from darkness, was given to the spirit of man by the Lord and He gave to him that agency, power in himself to choose the good and refuse the evil, to choose the light or the darkness as he willed. CR1914Oct:40
There is a defense mechanism to discern between good and evil. It is called conscience. It is our spirit’s natural response to the pain of sin, just like pain in our flesh is our body’s natural response to a wound—even a small sliver. Conscience strengthens through use. Paul told the Hebrews, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14.) Those who have not exercised their conscience have “their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Tim. 4:2.) A sensitive conscience is a sign of a healthy spirit. CR1991Apr; A Crown of Thorns, a Crown of Glory, Ensign, May 1991, p.68
Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones. In a thousand ways, we are privileged to choose for ourselves. Here we learn from the hard taskmaster of experience. We discern between good and evil. We differentiate as to the bitter and the sweet. We discover that decisions determine destiny. CR1988Apr; An Invitation to Exaltation, Ensign, May 1988, p.53
The Father’s plan gave us our agency to choose right or wrong, good or evil so we can learn, develop, and progress.CR1994Oct; Deep Roots, Ensign, November 1994, p.75
012. God will not force any person to do good, nor can a person be forced by Satan to do evil.
Here [Moses 4:2-3we read that that power of choice, the gift, the ability to understand right from wrong, to understand light from darkness, was given to the spirit of man by the Lord and He gave to him that agency, power in himself to choose the good and refuse the evil, to choose the light or the darkness as he willed. So because of that, man can be brought to judgment for the deeds that he performs, for he is not forced to do evil, neither is he forced to do right. The power of volition is in the spirit man and he brings it with him when he is born into the earthly sphere, and so we can do good or do evil as we elect, and therefore we will be brought to judgment and every man will be judged according to the deeds done while in the body; according to his works, so will his future be determined. CR1914Oct:40
God has given to all men an agency and has granted to us the privilege to serve him or serve him not, to do that which is right or that which is wrong, and this privilege is given to all men irrespective of creed, color or condition. The wealthy have this agency, the poor have this agency, and no man is deprived by any power of God from exercising it in the fullest and in the freest manner. (General conference, April 1883; JD24:175) MPSG1989:127
translating the Book of Moses
And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,
17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (The Lord reveals to Moses the placing of man in the Garden of Eden) Moses 3:16-17
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
He [Joseph Smith] then observed that Satan was generally blamed for the evils which we did, but if he was the cause of all our wickedness, men could not be condemned. The devil could not compel mankind to do evil; all was voluntary. Those who resisted the Spirit of God, would be liable to be led into temptation, and then the association of heaven would be withdrawn from those who refused to be made partakers of such great glory. God would not exert any compulsory means, and the devil could not; and such ideas as were entertained [on these subjects] by many were absurd. . . . (Joseph's paraphrased discourse to the Saints, Nauvoo, Ill., May 1841, TPJS:187) DGSM:31
Yet we can’t hide behind the father of lies and say, “Satan made me do it.” All he does is tell us, “This is no harm,” and then he lets us catch ourselves in our own snare. CR1982Apr; This Is No Harm, Ensign, May 1982, p.9
Although the devil laughs, his power is limited. Some may remember the old adage: "The devil made me do it." Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies-our very spirits-is when we allow him to do so. In other words, we do not have to succumb to his enticements! CR2006Apr; To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency
We have heard comedians and others justify or explain their misdeeds by saying, “The devil made me do it.” I do not really think the devil can make us do anything. Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has no authority over us which we do not give him. CR1987Oct; The Great Imitator, Ensign, November 1987, p.33
Related Witnesses:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Letter to his brethren in the Church) James 4:7-8
013. Before the earth was created, the spirits of all people were free to act for themselves.
In the Garden of Eden, God endowed Adam and all his posterity with that free agency which they had enjoyed in the spirit world. CR1976Apr:120
translating the Book of Moses
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; (The Lord describes to Moses Satan's rebellion in the pre-mortal world) Moses 4:3
With regard to the rights of the human family, I wish to say that God has given unto all of his children of this dispensation, as he gave unto all of the children of previous dispensations, individual agency. This agency has always been the heritage of man under the rule and government of God. He possessed it in the heaven of heavens before the world was, and the Lord maintained and defended it there against the aggression of Lucifer and those that took sides with him, to the overthrow of Lucifer and one-third part of the heavenly hosts. By virtue of this agency you and I and all mankind are made responsible beings, responsible for the course we pursue, the lives we live, the deeds we do in the body. ("Discourse," Millennial Star, Oct. 1889, p. 642) DGSM:30
quoted by Mormon
And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; . . . (Alma instructs the people how God calls and ordains men to preach, about 82 B.C.) Alma 13:3
The power of volition is in the spirit man and he brings it with him when he is born into the earthly sphere, and so we can do good or do evil as we elect, and therefore we will be brought to judgment and every man will be judged according to the deeds done while in the body; according to his works, so will his future be determined. CR1914Oct:40
The spirits of men were not equal. They may have had an equal start, and we know they were all innocent in the beginning; but the right of free agency which was given to them enabled some to outstrip others, and thus, through the eons of immortal existence, to become more intelligent, more faithful for they were free to act for themselves, to receive the truth or rebel against it. (Article in IE19:318-19) MPSG1985:78
014. We are each responsible for the choices we make through the exercise of our agency—and we must accept the immediate and eternal consequences of those decisions.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. (The second of the thirteen Articles of Faith; letter to John Wentworth, March 1, 1842) Articles of Faith :2
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
He [Joseph Smith] then observed that Satan was generally blamed for the evils which we did, but if he was the cause of all our wickedness, men could not be condemned. The devil could not compel mankind to do evil; all was voluntary. Those who resisted the Spirit of God, would be liable to be led into temptation, and then the association of heaven would be withdrawn from those who refused to be made partakers of such great glory. God would not exert any compulsory means, and the devil could not; and such ideas as were entertained [on these subjects] by many were absurd. . . . (Joseph's paraphrased discourse to the Saints, Nauvoo, Ill., May 1841) TPJS:187;DGSM:31
receiving the Word of the Lord
And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.
33. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
34. And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
35. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. (Revelation received Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:32-35
We believe in the free agency of man, and therefore in his individual responsibility. (Address from the First Presidency of the Church to the World, delivered to and accepted by vote of the Church in General Conference, Apr. 1907) CR1907Apr(Appendix)4
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The volition of the creature is free; this is a law of their existence and the Lord cannot violate his own law; were he to do that, he would cease to be God. He has placed life and death before his children, and it is for them to choose. If they choose life, they receive the blessing of life; if they choose death, they must abide the penalty. This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice, and God brings forth the results of the acts of his creatures to promote his Kingdom and subserve his purposes in the salvation and exaltation of his children. (Sermon, Aug. 1866, JD11:272) DBY:62; DGSM:31
With regard to the rights of the human family, I wish to say that God has given unto all of his children of this dispensation, as he gave unto all of the children of previous dispensations, individual agency. This agency has always been the heritage of man under the rule and government of God. He possessed it in the heaven of heavens before the world was, and the Lord maintained and defended it there against the aggression of Lucifer and those that took sides with him, to the overthrow of Lucifer and one-third part of the heavenly hosts. By virtue of this agency you and I and all mankind are made responsible beings, responsible for the course we pursue, the lives we live, the deeds we do in the body. (Millennial Star 51:642, 1889) DGSM:30
quoted by Mormon
And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. (Samuel preaches to the Nephites, about 6 B.C.) Helaman 14:30-31
Each may act for himself. It was Satan's plan to destroy this agency and force men to do his will. There could be no satisfactory existence without this great gift. Men must have the privilege to choose even to the extent that they may rebel against the divine decrees. Of course salvation and exaltation must come through the free will without coercion and by individual merit in order that righteous rewards may be given and proper punishment be meted out to the transgressor. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:20) TLDP:10
God is truly loving and kind. Part of his pattern is to help us use our gift of free agency, but his pattern does not condone sin. When we abuse our agency to choose a life-style contrary to revealed patterns, we must live with the consequences. Our unwillingness to follow the true and tested patterns given for our happiness causes the individual, family, and friends heartaches and ultimate disaster. Our freedom to choose our course of conduct does not provide personal freedom from the consequences of our performances. God’s love for us is constant and will not diminish, but he cannot rescue us from the painful results that are caused by wrong choices. CR1990Oct; A Pattern in All Things, Ensign, November 1990, p.20
015. Good comes from God and evil comes from the devil.
Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. (Mormon preaches in the synagogue, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 7:12-13
quoted by his son Nephi
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
28. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
29. And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. (Lehi to his sons, between 588-570 B.C.) 2 Nephi 2:27-29
These two principles do exist, good and evil, God and the Devil. Whatever leads to good and to do good is of God. Whatever leads to evil and to do evil is of the Devil. God has labored from the creation of man to lead him to keep the celestial law, that he may inherit a celestial glory and partake of eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God to man; while the devil, with all the fallen angels, has labored from the creation to lead man astray, to lead him down to the perdition of ungodly men, that he may have dominion over him. (Epistle to the Saints Abroad, Oct. 1886) (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 239) TLDP:231
There have always been two great competing forces in the world. These began before the world was created. These opposing forces are the forces of good and evil. Between these two powerful forces each of us is caught in a tug of war. In simple terms, that which is good comes from God, and that which is evil comes from the devil.3 You can’t have it both ways and find true happiness; some have tried, but in the long run all have failed. If any of you young men think you can have it both ways, you are only deceiving yourselves. It doesn’t work that way. It never has. It never will. CR2003Apr; The Devil’s Throat, Ensign, May 2003, p.51
All forms of wickedness and evil and rebellion against God’s holy purposes are of the devil. CR1991Oct; A Time for Preparation, Ensign, November 1991, p.36
Related Witnesses:
By every possible means he seeks to darken the minds of men and then offers them falsehood and deception in the guise of truth. Satan is a skillful imitator, and as genuine gospel truth is given the world in ever-increasing abundance, so he spreads the counterfeit coin of false doctrine. Beware of his spurious currency, it will purchase for you nothing but disappointment, misery and spiritual death. The "Father of Lies" he has been called, and such an adept has he become through the ages of practice in his nefarious work, that were it possible he would deceive the very elect. (Juvenile Instructor, Sept. 1902, p. 562) DCSM:23
And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ—
29. Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.
30. And we saw a vision of the sufferings of those with whom he made war and overcame, for thus came the voice of the Lord unto us: (Vision to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Feb. 16, 1832) D&C 76:28-30
016. We can discern between good and evil when we have the Spirit of God.
People are liable in many ways to be led astray by the power of the adversary, for they do not fully understand that it is a hard matter for them to always distinguish the things of God from the things of the devil. There is but one way by which they can know the difference, and that is by the light of the spirit of revelation, even the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without this we are all liable to be lead astray and forsake our brethren, forsake our covenants and the Church and kingdom of God on earth. . . .
Consequently, it becomes us, as Saints, to cleave to the Lord with all our hearts and seek unto Him until we do enjoy the light of His Spirit, that we may discern between the righteous and the wicked, and understand the difference between false spirits and true. (In Bowery, Oct. 6, 1855, JD3:43-44) TLDP:232
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. (Mormon preaches in the synagogue, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 7:13-16
The gift of the Holy Ghost will prompt us to resist temptation by reminding us of the gospel law in the very moment of temptation. CR1989Apr; The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass, Ensign, May 1989, p.31
Related Witnesses:
translating the Book of Moses
Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve.
16. Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not; for God said unto me: Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten.
17. And he also gave me commandments when he called unto me out of the burning bush, saying: Call upon God in the name of mine Only Begotten, and worship me.
18. And again Moses said: I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan. (Revelation to Joseph Smith, 1830; Satan appears to Moses ) Moses 1:15-18
017. Only by being exposed to evil can we recognize and embrace good; we taste the bitter fruits of life that we may learn to prize the good.
receiving the Word of the Lord
And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet— (Revelation to Joseph, Sept. 1830) D&C 29:39
If we cannot be good, except as we resist and overcome evil, then evil must be present to be resisted.
So this earth life is set up according to true principles, and these conditions that followed the transgression [of Adam] were not, in the usual sense, penalties that were inflicted upon us. All these . . . that seem to be sad inflictions of punishment, sorrow, and trouble are in the end not that. They are blessings. We have attained a knowledge of good and evil, the power to prize the sweet, to become agents unto ourselves, the power to obtain redemption and eternal life. These things had their origin in this transgression. The Lord has set the earth up so we have to labor if we are going to live, which preserves us from the curse of idleness and indolence; and though the Lord condemns us to death—mortal death—it is one of the greatest blessings that come to us here because it is the doorway to immortality, and we can never attain immortality without dying.
So these are all real blessings. We come to the earth with all these conditions arranged as they are so that we have to struggle constantly against evil, struggle to preserve our lives, struggle for everything of true value—that is the thing for us to understand—this is the course of life that is most desirable, and for our good. We have no need to find fault with these conditions. The Lord has ordained them all for our welfare and happiness. CR1958Apr:39
translating the Book of Moses
And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good. (The record of Moses ; Enoch recounts God speaking to Adam) Moses 6:55
Can the people comprehend that there is not, has not been, and never can by any method, scheme, or plan devised by any being in this world for intelligence to eternally exist and obtain an exaltation, without knowing the good and the evil—without tasting the bitter and the sweet? Can the people understand that it is actually necessary for opposite principles to be placed before them, or this state of being would be no probation, and we should have no opportunity for exercising the agency given us? Can they understand that we cannot obtain eternal life unless we actually know and comprehend by our experience the principle of good and the principle of evil, the light and the darkness, truth, virtue, and holiness, —also vice, wickedness, and corruption? (In Tabernacle Sept. 1, 1859, JD7:237) TLDP:232
I will tell you a truth; it is God's truth; it is eternal truth: neither you nor I would ever be prepared to be crowned in the celestial kingdom of our Father and our God, without devils in this world. Do you know that the Saints never could be prepared to receive the glory that is in reserve for them, without devils to help them to get it? Men and women never could be prepared to be judged and condemned out of their own mouths, and to be set upon the left hand, or to have it said to them, "Go away into everlasting darkness", without the power both of God and the devil. We are obliged to know and understand them, one as well as the other, in order to prepare us for the day that is coming, and for our exaltation. Some of you may think that this is a curious principle, but it is true. Refer to the Book of Mormon, and you will find that Nephi and others taught that we actually need evil, in order to make this a state of probation. We must know the evil in order to know the good. There must needs be an opposition in all things. All facts are demonstrated by their opposites, You will learn this in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and in the revelations given through Joseph. We must know and understand the opposition that is in all things, in order to discern, choose, and receive that which we do know will exalt us to the presence of God. You cannot know the one without knowing the other. This is a true principle. (In Bowery, June 28, 1857, JD4:373) TLDP:129
Why is it that good men should be tried? Why is it, in fact, that we should have a devil? Why did not the Lord kill him long ago? Because he could not do without him. He needed the devil and a great many of those who do his bidding just to keep men straight, that we may learn to place our dependence upon God, and trust in Him, and to observe his laws and keep his commandments. (At Grantsville, Oct. 29, 1882, JD23:336) TLDP:139
Life will not be free from challenges, some of them bitter and hard to bear. We may wish to be spared all the trials of life, but that would be contrary to the great plan of happiness, “for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11). This testing is the source of our strength. CR2004Apr; Do Not Fear, Ensign, May 2004, p.77
When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same. CR2003Apr; Give Thanks in All Things, Ensign, May 2003, p.95
A life without problems or limitations or challenges—life without “opposition in all things,” as Lehi phrased it—would paradoxically but in very fact be less rewarding and less ennobling than one which confronts—even frequently confronts—difficulty and disappointment and sorrow. As beloved Eve said, were it not for the difficulties faced in a fallen world, neither she nor Adam nor any of the rest of us ever would have known “the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” CR1996Oct; The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom, Ensign, November 1996, p.82
Related Witnesses:
translating the Book of Moses
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
11. And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient. (The record of Moses ; Adam realizes that through Adam and Eve's transgression they may receive joy, and he, therefore, blesses the name of God) Moses 5:10-11
Free agency—the untrammeled will, the right to choose and act for oneself, to obey or disobey law—is a fundamental, unalterable, everlasting quality of man. Divinity stands aside for it. By its exercise, man progresses gloriously or retrogrades dishonorably. Before the earth was, pre-existent man accepted, without compulsion, the Father's plan of salvation. On earth, man, if worthy the name, tests and tries, sifts and refines, accepts or rejects, the offerings placed before him. Throughout eternity, he will use this inherent right. Thereby, and thereby only, will he find eternal joy. Without free agency there is no manhood; with it, man becomes of the likeness of God. (Man and the Dragon, p. 161) TLDP:10
018. Power to overcome Satan and his evil influence comes from God.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (Peter writes to members of the Church, about A.D. 60 to 64) 2 Peter 2:9
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted. (Revelation received Aug. 13, 1831) D&C 62:1
Related Witnesses:
But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him (Joseph Smith delivered from the power of darkness by the visitation of the Father and the Son, Spring of 1820) JS-H 1:16-17
quoted by Mormon
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
19. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; (The resurrected Jesus commands the Nephite people to pray, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 18:18-19
019. In their exercise of agency, those who choose good will be rewarded.
recorded in Mark
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Jesus teaches Peter of the rewards to those who follow Christ) Mark 10:28-30
receiving the Word of the Lord
Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:33
receiving the Word of the Lord
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, Aug. 1, 1831) D&C 58:28
receiving the Word of the Lord
But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. (Revelation received Aug. 7, 1831) D&C 59:23
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18
Of course salvation and exaltation must come through the free will without coercion and by individual merit in order that righteous rewards may be given and proper punishment be meted out to the transgressor. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:20) TLDP:10
Without free agency we would amount to very little, and the Lord granted unto us our agency, that we might act for ourselves—to choose the good, or to choose the evil if we desire—with the understanding that we would reap the reward of our labors in this life. ("The Essential Value of Genealogical Research," Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Jan. 1918, p. 16) TLDP:11-12
Salvation means the attainment of the eternal right to live in the presence of God the Father and the Son as a reward for a good life in mortality. (Lesson in the Junior M Man and Junior Gleaner Manual, 1950, see Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 334) TLDP:154
Jesus . . . makes a pronouncement of wondrous import: If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. This is the sum and substance of the whole matter. Salvation, eternal life, rewards in all their degrees and varieties—all come by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Salvation must be won; it is not a free gift. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13) But what of grace? Grace is the love, mercy, and condescension of God in making salvation available to men. "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23) Eternal life is freely available; salvation is free in that all may drink of the waters of life; all may come and partake; but none gains so high a reward as eternal life until he is tried and tested and found worthy, as were the ancients. . . .
Eternal life can come to those only who put first in their lives the things of God's kingdom; who love the riches of eternity more than a handful of mortal pelf; who are willing to forsake all and follow Christ. Where a man's treasure is, there will his heart be also. (The Mortal Messiah, 3:302) TLDP:161
020. We have a dual nature: one, related to the earthly life; the other, akin to the divine; by following after the enticings of the Spirit we can overcome the inclinations of the flesh.
Man has a dual nature; one, related to the earthly or animal life; the other, akin to the divine. Whether a man remains satisfied within what we designate the animal world, satisfied with what the animal world will give him, yielding without effort to the whim of his appetites and passions and slipping farther and farther into the realm of indulgence, or whether, through self-mastery, he rises toward intellectual, moral, and spiritual enjoyments depends upon the kind of choice he makes every day, nay, every hour of his life. . . . CR1949Apr:13; DGSM:21
quoted by Mormon
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 3:19
quoted by his son Nephi
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
28. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
29. And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. (Lehi to his sons, between 588-570 B.C.) 2 Nephi 2:27-29
God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this reigns predominant, without let or hindrance, and triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls as the Lord controls the heavens and the earth, this I call the blessing of sanctification. Will sin be perfectly destroyed? No, it will not, for it is not so designed in the economy of Heaven. . . .
Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. (In Tabernacle, May 24, 1863, JD10:173) TLDP:604
[T]he highest achievement of spirituality comes as we conquer the flesh. We build character as we encourage people to care for their own needs.
As givers [of welfare service] gain control of their desires and properly see other[s'] needs in light of their own wants, then the powers of the gospel are released in their lives. They learn that by living the great law of consecration they insure not only temporal salvation, but also spiritual sanctification. CR1977Oct:123
For man in spirit form, in his spirit nature, is an independent entity. It is an organized being, a son of God or a daughter of God, as the case may be, and in the spirit birth he obtained not only an eternal organization, but power and intelligence by which he can determine and understand light from darkness, truth from error, and choose between that which is right and that which is wrong. In the Pearl of Great Price we read that God gave him that power. . . .
Here [Moses 4:2-3we read that that power of choice, the gift, the ability to understand right from wrong, to understand light from darkness, was given to the spirit of man by the Lord and He gave to him that agency, power in himself to choose the good and refuse the evil, to choose the light or the darkness as he willed. So because of that, man can be brought to judgment for the deeds that he performs, for he is not forced to do evil, neither is he forced to do right. The power of volition is in the spirit man and he brings it with him when he is born into the earthly sphere, and so we can do good or do evil as we elect, and therefore we will be brought to judgment and every man will be judged according to the deeds done while in the body; according to his works, so will his future be determined. CR1914Oct:40
Related Witnesses:
Man is a spiritual being, a soul, and at some period of his life everyone is possessed with an irresistible desire to know his relationship to the infinite. He realizes that he is not just a physical object that is to be tossed for a short time from bank to bank, only to be submerged finally in the everflowing stream of life. There is something within him which urges him to rise above himself, to control his environment, to master the body and all things physical and live in a higher and more beautiful world. CR1928Oct:37; DGSM:21
The Spirit of the Lord will not dwell in unclean tabernacles, and when the spirit is withdrawn, darkness supersedes the light, and apostasy will follow. This is one of the greatest evidences of the divinity of this latter-day work. In other organizations men may commit all manner of sin and still retain their membership, because they have no companionship with the Holy Ghost to lose: but in the Church when a man sins and continues without repentance, the Spirit is withdrawn, and when he is left to himself the adversary takes possession of his mind and he denies the faith. (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:309) TLDP:632
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, about A.D. 55) Galatians 5:13
021. The Lord permits the righteous to be slain by the wicked that the wicked might exercise their agency and receive a just judgment at the last day.
also quoting Alma, the younger
And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consumed in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma : How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11. But Alma said unto him: The spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. (Alma speaks on the fate of those believers in the word of God who are burned, about 82 B.C.) Alma 14:10-11
quoted by Mormon
For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God. (General Moroni complains to Pahoran of the government's neglect of the armies, about 62 B.C.) Alma 60:13
J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
(First Presidency)
"For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God." (Alma 60:7,12-13
In this terrible war now waging, thousands of our righteous young men in all parts of the world and in many countries are subject to a call into the military service of their own countries. Some of these, so serving, have already been called back to their heavenly home; others will almost surely be called to follow. But "behold," as Moroni said, the righteous of them who serve and are slain "do enter into the rest of the Lord their God," and of them the Lord has said "those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." (D&C 42:46) Their salvation and exaltation in the world to come will be secure. That in their work of destruction they will be striking at their brethren will not be held against them. That sin, as Moroni of old said, is to the condemnation of those who "sit in their places of power in a state of thoughtless stupor," those rulers in the world who in a frenzy of hate and lust for unrighteous power and dominion over their fellow men, have put into motion eternal forces they do not comprehend and cannot control. God, in His own due time, will pass sentence upon them.
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19) CR1942Apr:95-96
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion;
2. Being driven and smitten by the hands of mine enemies, on whom I will pour out my wrath without measure in mine own time.
3. For I have suffered them thus far, that they might fill up the measure of their iniquities, that their cup might be full; (Revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1834; why the Lord permitted persecution) D&C 103:1-3
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory. (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:30
receiving the Word of the Lord
And that you be firm in keeping the commandments wherewith I have commanded you; and if you do this, behold I grant unto you eternal life, even if you should be slain. (Revelation received at the request of Martin Harris) D&C 5:22
